India-Sri Lanka Barabati T-20: Security beefed up in twin city

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: In a bid to avoid any untoward incidents during the India-Sri Lanka T-20 match at Barabati Stadium in Odisha’s Cuttack on December 20, police today decided to beef up security in the twin city.

The Commissionerate Police today conducted a mock drill from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to Hotel Mayfair where the 87 rooms have been booked for both the teams.

Speaking to reporters after taking stock of security arrangements here, Police Commissioner YB Khurania said 63 platoons of police force will be deployed in Cuttack and 18 platoons will in Bhubaneswar. This apart, arrangements for frequent patrolling and checking in all roads leading to Barabati stadium have been made.

“CCTV cameras have been installed in every entry and exit points of the stadium through which we will be able to keep a close watch on the spectators,” the city’s top cop added.

The Police Commissioner also requested the spectators not to carry water bottles into the stadium and to cooperate for the smooth conduct of the match.

As per the schedule, both teams will reach Bhubaneswar tomorrow afternoon from Visakhapatnam.

Meanwhile, police have arrested six persons for allegedly selling match tickets on black with seizing around 40 tickets from them.

Earlier in the day, tension prevailed outside the stadium after spectators broke barricade as they did not get tickets for the much-awaited match.

According to reports, hundreds of cricket lovers queued at three counters of the Barabati Stadium since last night to buy tickets. However, when the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) announced that tickets for gallery no 1, 2,3,4,6 and 7 were sold out, some of the cricket fans got fumed and broke the barricades and pelted stones at ticket counters.

OCA Working Committee Chairman Dhiren Palai said all tickets were sold out in one day as cricket fans turned up in large numbers at the counters.

“As many as 12,529 tickets have been made available for sale at the counters after 9,310 tickets were sold online and 10,564 sold through our affiliated units,” Palai added.